Chapter 229

The demons trembled in fear.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

“If this fails, our heads are going to explode.”

“They won’t. Don’t worry.”

Wasn’t he being a little too casual about this when it wasn’t his head on the line?

Three demons had already died right in front of them, their heads bursting apart.

And yet he was telling them everything would be fine.

Who in their right mind would believe that?

The three demons whose heads had exploded were ones Jeok Wigang had intended to kill from the start.

They were simply too vicious to be allowed to live.

The others, however, seemed like they might prove useful if properly reformed, which was why he had spared them.

Of course, if they refused to change, he had no intention of showing mercy.

Using the three dead demons, Wigang had figured out exactly how the restrictions had been imposed.

He adjusted the formula and placed a hand on the head of the demon before him.

Apparently terrified of dying, the demon squeezed his eyes shut and trembled from head to toe.

“Release the seal. Sever the bonds. Entrust the will. Let truth flow.”

As Wigang recited the mantra, a brand shimmered above the demon’s head.

That was it.

The cursed brand that would rupture his head if he let the wrong words slip.

Blue radiance bloomed from Wigang’s hand.

It engulfed the wavering brand, then transformed into blue flame as though burning it away.

When the flames died out, the brand vanished with them.

The cloudiness in the demon’s eyes cleared.

“Could it really be gone?”

Wigang nodded, and the demon’s face brightened.

He proceeded to remove the restrictions from all the others as well.

“All of your restrictions are gone. Now tell me everything you know.”

The demons hesitated.

Wigang’s expression slowly turned cold.

“If you’re no use to me, I don’t see why I should go through the trouble of removing your restrictions and keeping you alive.”

“Y-you’ll spare us if we talk?”

These demons had a very strong desire to live.

“Yeah. I’ll spare you.”

One finally gathered the courage to speak.

“The Demon-Brain Divine Demon has several identities.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he squeezed his eyes shut.

Just in case.

But when nothing happened, his face lit up.

“Several identities?”

“Sometimes they’re a physician, sometimes a merchant. At times, an herb dealer or even an official. They assume whatever identity is needed.”

The other demons immediately began volunteering everything they knew.

“They also have several residences.”

“There are multiple locations where demons are gathered as well.”

“How many of those places are there?”

Dark Resolve Divine Demon answered Wigang’s question.

“As far as I know, there are two more.”

“Why bother?”

“They weren’t established at random. Each one serves a different purpose.”

“Different purpose?”

“Yes. All the demons capable of blending naturally with humans in the Central Plains were gathered here. There is another place where martial artists are captured and used for experiments.”

“They experiment on martial artists?”

“I-I’ve never seen it myself. I only heard about it. Supposedly, they conduct all manner of experiments to gain a complete understanding of the martial artists of the Central Plains.”

“And the other one?”

“That is where White Horse Heaven’s elite are gathered. Its location is kept under absolute secrecy.”

“What’s your main job?”

“Our assignments change depending on whatever the Demon-Brain Divine Demon needs at the time. But mostly, we just run errands for them.”

So these demons really did seem to possess some degree of social ability.

Well, they wouldn’t have been able to mingle with people in the Central Plains otherwise.

That was fortunate.

If they were this much like ordinary people, reforming them was possible.

If Wigang could turn them to his side, protecting the Central Plains would become much easier.

Dark Resolve Divine Demon spoke cautiously.

“The demons elsewhere are different from the ones here. Those bastards are... real demons.”

Wigang gave a faint smirk.

“Are you worried about me now?”

“Huh? N-no, I...”

Even Dark Resolve Divine Demon seemed to realize how strange that was.

Why am I worried about this human?

“You’ve met the Demon-Brain Divine Demon in person, haven’t you?”

Dark Resolve Divine Demon nodded.

“What are they like?”

“They are the leader of the Ten Heavenly Demon Stars and the supreme commander granted full authority by the Lord of Heaven. In combat strength, they are only Demon-Slayer class, but their intellect is exceptional and they are highly skilled in magic. With the exception of the Ten Heavenly Demon Stars, you can assume that most demons are under the Demon-Brain Divine Demon’s restrictions.”

“So they’re effectively the head of White Horse Heaven?”

“In terms of position, yes. But their loyalty to the Lord of Heaven is stronger than that of any other demon in White Horse Heaven.”

“Are the Ten Heavenly Demon Stars in the Central Plains?”

“As far as I know, none of them are here except the Demon-Brain Divine Demon.”

“Why not?”

“The Ten Heavenly Demon Stars themselves do not get along particularly well with the Demon-Brain Divine Demon. If they came to the Central Plains, they would have to follow their orders, and none of them would welcome that.”

Was that supposed to be good news?

Then why did Wigang feel disappointed?

“When will the dimension connecting the demon realm and the Central Plains open?”

“There is no way to know exactly. The Lord of Heaven is the only one capable of opening the dimensional passage.”

“What’s the Lord of Heaven doing?”

“Training in preparation for the conquest of the Central Plains.”

“They’re supposed to be that strong already. Why bother?”

“We wonder the same thing. Most of us assume it is merely an excuse because opening the dimensional passage consumed so much of the Lord of Heaven’s power.”

“But they’ll have to spend power again to open another passage and cross over, won’t they?”

“I don’t know. How could lowly beings like us possibly understand the Lord of Heaven’s grand design?”

“Do you remember where the dimensional passage opened?”

“Yes. I definitely remember that.”

“Where was it?”

“It was... It was at... Wait.”

Dark Resolve Divine Demon repeatedly tilted his head.

Then he turned to the other demons.

“Where was the dimensional passage we crossed through?”

“Come on! How can you not remember that? It was... Wait.”

The other demons began tilting their heads as well.

“Strangely enough... I can’t remember.”

The others nodded.

“Forget it. Looks like they erased only that part of your memories.”

Everyone stared at Wigang in shock.

“When did they erase it...?”

“You said they can use magic, right? If so, erasing your memories without you realizing it wouldn’t be difficult.”

Wigang had hoped this would be easy.

Apparently not.

Dark Resolve Divine Demon spoke again.

“I know a way to find the Demon-Brain Divine Demon.”

Wigang looked at him.

“If you’re this eager to help, that starts looking suspicious too.”

Dark Resolve Divine Demon was plainly being unusually cooperative.

He answered with an expression of genuine confusion.

“I-I don’t know either. I don’t understand why I’m acting like this... I just keep feeling drawn to you.”

Wigang tilted his head.

He didn’t seem to be lying.

“It feels as though I’ve served you for a very long time.”

“You’re pretty good at flattery.”

“I’m not flattering you! I mean it.”

“All right. Tell me. How can I find the Demon-Brain Divine Demon?”

“What the Demon-Brain Divine Demon is currently devoting the most effort to is the production of demonic beasts.”

“Demonic beasts?”

“Yes. I heard they’re preparing them to throw the martial world into chaos. I don’t know the production process, but apparently human bodies are required.”

“Humans?”

“Yes. They behave exactly like normal humans until the moment the Demon-Brain Divine Demon gives the command. Then they transform into demonic beasts and attack the village they’re in. Before the demonic beast’s power activates, they’re supposedly completely indistinguishable from ordinary people.”

They were planning something monstrous.

If that was true, everyone in the Central Plains would begin constantly suspecting everyone else.

And once that happened, they would never be able to unite their strength against White Horse Heaven.

Instead, they would become consumed with watching for enemies within, until the Central Plains collapsed from the inside.

But how did that help them find the Demon-Brain Divine Demon?

Wigang thought for a moment.

“So producing these demonic beasts requires something?”

“That’s right. From what I overheard, they need medicinal herbs found in the Central Plains. Enormous quantities of them.”

“Really?”

Wigang’s eyes gleamed.

That was an excellent lead.

Wait.

Earlier, when they had said the Demon-Brain Divine Demon constantly changed identities...

They said they sometimes became a physician, a merchant, an herb dealer, or an official.

What if every one of those identities existed to facilitate the creation of demonic beasts?

That made sense.

They would pose as a physician to find bodies suitable for transformation.

They would become a merchant to obtain the necessary materials more easily.

That would also help cover the expenses of maintaining the demons.

The herb-dealer identity would make procuring medicinal herbs easier.

And as an official, they could suppress anything that might expose the entire operation.

“They certainly keep busy.”

For now, Wigang needed to investigate the flow of medicinal herbs.

“You don’t know which specific herbs they use, do you?”

“No...”

He hadn’t expected them to.

“All right. You’re coming with me.”

“W-where are we going?”

Wigang considered it briefly.

“Heavenly Martial Castle.”

******

“What the hell are all these bastards? Why have you brought an entire procession of them with you?”

“White Horse Heaven.”

“What?”

Jeok Mugun’s expression immediately turned grave.

“Those ten over there are Demon-Slayer class.”

“Demon-Slayer class?”

“Same class as the Four Divine Demons.”

“What? There are ten of them?”

“Yep. And those six beside them are Calamity Demon class. There are only twenty-four of those, and they’re stronger than Demon-Slayer class.”

“Those bastards are stronger than the Four Divine Demons?”

“Yes.”

“And that one over there?”

“He’s Fell Demon class. One of the Eight Fell Demon Generals. He’s the strongest one here.”

“Eight? So there are eight of them. Is there anything above Fell Demon class?”

“The Ten Heavenly Demon Stars. There are ten of them, and they’re White Horse Heaven’s leadership.”

“How strong are the Ten Heavenly Demon Stars?”

“Strong enough to take down a Fell Demon-class fighter like that one in ten moves or less?”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Mugun’s eyes lit up.

“They’re not dangerous?”

“No. I put restrictions on all of them. If they even think about trying anything funny, they’ll experience pain beyond imagination.”

At Wigang’s words, the demons lowered their heads dejectedly.

They had been so happy to escape one set of restrictions, only to find themselves under another.

Still, it was better than dying.

“Somehow, Heavenly Martial Castle is starting to feel like a gathering place for White Horse Heaven demons.”

“What can you do? If there are useful resources available, you squeeze every last bit of value out of them.”

“Fair enough. I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”

Mugun’s gaze remained fixed solely on Dark Resolve Divine Demon.

“What? You want to fight him?”

“Of course I do. What do you think? Does he seem stronger than me?”

“Hmm.”

Wigang thought for a moment.

“A little?”

“What? Seriously? He’s stronger than me?”

“Yeah. That dagger of his is extremely dangerous. Be careful.”

“Damn. Why would you tell me beforehand? Now you’ve ruined the fun.”

“I’m telling you to be careful. That thing is seriously dangerous.”

Mugun’s expression turned serious at Wigang’s warning.

“It’s that dangerous?”

“Yes.”

“All right.”

Wigang turned toward the Four Divine Guardians, Son Gang, and Jung Saheon.

“You lot should make defeating those Calamity Demon-class ones your goal.”

Their eyes blazed the moment they met those of the Calamity Demon-class demons.

“I’ve been wondering how much stronger I’ve become. Looks like I’ll finally find out.”

“When exactly did they come up with these Demon-Slayer, Calamity Demon, and Fell Demon classes?”

“After your memories were erased.”

“Then I suppose we’re Demon-Slayer class.”

“You catch on fast.”

“If we were Calamity Demon class, you would’ve matched us against the Fell Demon-class one.”

Wigang grinned.

“When do we start?”

Wigang gave a small laugh.

“Since when do you schedule a fight?”

At those words—

“I’m going first!”

Jin Muryang launched himself straight at one of the Calamity Demon-class demons.

“Damn it!”

Thinking he had stolen the first move, the others hurriedly charged after him.